Page 75 of Tethered to the World
She was rambling, and she bit her lip to stop, the flash of pain steadying her. She licked away the drop of blood, relishing the way her lip stung, distracting her from her chaotic thoughts.
It took all her courage to look up. She dreaded what she would see on their faces, afraid they would force her into slavery like her uncle.
She was worth a fortune to anyone who got their hands on her.
Logan grabbed the bottom of her chair and turned her to face him, pulling her closer until she was sitting between his splayed thighs. He cupped her face, holding her steady when she would’ve flinched at his fierce expression.
“You’re safe here. You have my word. Anyone who comes for you will have to go through me first.” He leaned forward, brushing his lips almost reverently against hers.
Fear skittered along her spine at his declaration—the last thing she wanted was for him to risk his life for hers, but the touch of his lips scattered her thoughts.
She gazed into his eyes but didn’t see an ounce of hesitation or doubt.
“You will use your powers to protect yourself.” He rested his forehead against hers.
She searched his blue eyes, getting lost in their depths. “If other phantoms discover me, they will come to investigate. If my father comes to claim me, I’m not sure I’ll be strong enough to stop him.”
“You’re no longer alone.” He straightened, brushing her hair behind her ear. “Not to mention that you’re a lot stronger than you think. If he comes for you, I have no doubt you’ll defeat him or anyone else stupid enough to go up against you.”
He seemed so sure of himself.
She wanted to believe him.
Badly.
The rest of the guys appeared just as resolute.
A knock on the door sent the guys shooting to their feet. Logan leapt over the counter, placing himself between her and the door. Mason grabbed her, pushing her behind his bulk. Xander stepped into the living room, pressing his back to the wall, his fingers tipped with claws, lying in wait.
It was Camden who skirted around them, his skin rippling in a pattern, like something was pushing out from beneath. He casually picked up a knife from the counter as he passed, then calmly sliced his palm, splotches of blood hitting the floor as he moved.
She gasped, struggling to get to him, but Mason took a step back, pinning her to the wall with his body, then whispered, “The toxin in his blood is stronger. One touch and they will go down.”
She stilled, letting the fight go out of her. It felt unnatural to be hidden and protected. She’d spent her whole life fighting her own battles, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about having her choices taken away, even if they were trying to protect her.
When Camden opened the door, the whole room tensed.
“Is Annora here?” Loulou bounced into the kitchen with a bright smile, completely ignoring the looming threat of the guys. Lionel walked in right behind her, quickly slipping an arm around her waist and snatching her back, twisting and hunching over her protectively.
“I’m here.” Annora jammed her fingers into Mason’s side until he grunted and finally stepped aside. She skirted the guys, almost running to the door, eager to get out of the house—anything to avoid facing them at that moment. “I’m ready to go.”
She grabbed her backpack from behind the counter, then hastily shoved Lionel and Loulou out the door, calling over her shoulder. “Sorry, Mason, we’ll have to postpone our outing till tomorrow.”
“Annora.” Camden’s voice sounded rough.
She had one foot out the door and froze. She couldn’t turn and face them, not yet. “I…I just need a few moments. We’ll be at the coffee house on campus.”
She waited for the guys to protest, waited for someone to haul her back into the house. When a full minute passed in silence, she slowly closed the door behind her, letting out a sigh of relief.
Loulou was waiting for her at the bottom of the steps, her face knitted in concern. She studied Annora from head to toe, then shook her head. “You’ve had a rough time of it today.” She grinned, then bounded up the steps, looping arms with Annora, dragging her away from the house. “You’re doubly lucky I came to rescue you.”
Laughter burst out of her, and Annora hesitantly patted the hand looped around her elbow. Lionel remained still as they passed, gazing at the house with no expression on his face, his wolf peering out of his brightly lit eyes.
Loulou hauled her away, rolling her eyes. “Lionel insisted on coming along as an escort but promised to keep his distance.” The bunny glanced at the wolf over her shoulder. Instead of terror, she practically batted her lashes at the beast. Lionel’s gaze lingered on Loulou for a second, his expression softening, then he went right back to protector mode and watched the others around them.
Behind him she caught the quick flash of tail…or tails. A small fox peered at her from behind a bush, his crystal blue eyes glowing as they locked on her. His inky black coat helped keep him hidden in the deepening gloom, but she could see the deep crimson undercoating when the wind ruffled his fur.
She should be pissed that he followed her, tracking her like a prized possession, but the way he kept his distance made it seem like he was watching over her instead. She’d never had anyone care enough to want to keep her safe until them.
